Page 243 of Collided

Heath stands up and kicks him hard in the ribs. Dad rolls over so he’s looking at me. His face is covered in blood and sweat, and his eyes are burning with anger directed at me.

I scramble away under his dark eyes.

“Don’t look at her!” Heath pulls his head toward him. “Don’t you fucking dare look at her. I swear I’ll gouge your fucking eyes out.”

I’m trembling against the wall. My body is paralyzed by shock. I can’t move myself.

“Who the fuck are you, boy?” Dad coughs out. His eyes watch Heath with keen interest.

“Someone who’ll go to any extent to protect Hope. Even against her goddamn pathetic excuse of a father.”

Dad gives him a cynical smile. “Is that so?”

Heath glares at him. “I swear on it with my fucking life.”

For the first time, I see fear washing over my father. He’s scared. The same fear he used to instill in me is now what he’s feeling.

The eye contact prolongs until I see a little movement. Dad takes out a small knife from his jeans pocket and holds it tightly.

“Heath!” I call out but I’m too late.

Dad pushes it to Heath’s thigh, and he groans.

Getting to his feet Dad rushes out of my room.

I run to Heath and quickly press tissues to the open bleeding wound.

“It’s not stopping.” My hands are trembling because of how anxious I am.

I don’t want to lose him.

Why does it feel like I’m losing him?

Heath cups my chin and makes me look at him. “Tie a piece of cloth around it. I’ll be fine. It’s not deep.”

I tear apart one of my T-shirts and tie it around his wound tightly.

Then I help him stand. “Are you okay?” I run my eyes all over him, searching for any injury.

Heath brushes his fingers over my temple. “You’re bleeding, Rose.”

He brings his fingers down and I see blood on them.

I should feel concerned, but the only person I seem to worry about is him.

“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

Heath looks at my injuries and his gaze turns intense. The black swallows the blue with rapid speed. “Come here.” He wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly. “You’re shaking.”

My head is spinning, and my chest feels heavy from the worry and fear.

“It’s okay. I’m here. I’ll protect you,” he assures me as he rubs my back.

Protect me. How?

He got stabbed because of me.

I got him hurt.

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